Former Indore Commissioner Gets Top Posting After Water Contamination Deaths; Lawyer Calls It a ‘Reward, Not Punishment’

Indore, Madhya Pradesh: The appointment of former Indore Municipal Commissioner Dilip Kumar Yadav as Managing Director of the MP State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) has sparked debate in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Indore Bench. The issue came up during hearings related to the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, in which over 21 people have died, though official figures report 15 fatalities. Yadav had been transferred from his post following the tragedy.

‘Punishment Turned Into Reward’

During the hearing, petitioner’s advocate Ajay Bagdiya told the court that Yadav’s transfer, which was claimed by the government to be a punitive measure after the Bhagirathpura tragedy, effectively became a reward posting. “Transfer is not suspension. The former IMC has now been appointed as MD of MPSTDC. This is a kind of reward posting,” Bagdiya argued.

He cited precedents such as the Uphaar Cinema fire in Delhi and the stampede at an RCB event in Bengaluru, where senior officials were immediately suspended following the incidents. Bagdiya emphasized that no such action was taken in Madhya Pradesh after the Bhagirathpura incident. The court did not comment on this argument.

State Panel Formed to Investigate Incident

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government informed the High Court that a state-level committee has been formed to probe the Bhagirathpura water contamination case. The committee, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar Shukla, will examine the causes of the contamination and analyze administrative, technical, and managerial shortcomings. Members include Principal Secretary (PHE) P. Narhari, UAD Commissioner Sanket Bhondwe, and Indore Divisional Commissioner Sudam Khade as Member Secretary.

PILs Filed Over the Tragedy

The bench is hearing public interest litigations (PILs) regarding the Bhagirathpura outbreak. Advocate Bagdiya criticized the formation of the committee, calling it a “showpiece meant to divert attention” and claimed it was being used to shield officials from criminal proceedings related to the tragedy.